Punjabi immigrant women’s experiences of breast cancer

Breast cancer affects one in nine Canadian women. In BC’s South Asian community, while the majority of immigrants are Punjabi, little is known about the experiences of Punjabi immigrant women with breast cancer. Fuchsia Howard is studying how cultural, social and life contexts influence Punjabi women’s experiences with breast cancer. She is assessing whether these factors affect accessibility of health services and social supports, and how Punjabi women think about, adjust to and cope with breast cancer. Results from the research could enable health care providers to better understand Punjabi women’s health needs, and provide more culturally appropriate, respectful care. The findings could also be used to develop policies and programs that ensure women of all ethnicities receive optimal cancer care.